Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus and claw foot with hallux valgus of the great toe and first metatarsal hammertoes is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability rating for lipoma remains pending. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded, while other issues are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and inadequate verification of stressor events in service. The Veteran needs to provide more details about his alleged stressors, and a new examination is required to determine if he has PTSD related to a verified event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was denied in October 2008 due to lack of evidence linking ADD to his military service. The Board has now remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic breathing disorder, and a mandibular fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's sexual assault in service is a causal factor in his current anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU, and increased rating for residuals of a right-hand fracture due to potential inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as bilateral hand scars. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of these conditions and a credible in-service injury that could be related to these disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim remains pending as the May 17, 2017, VA Form 9 constitutes a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, and the claims for bilateral knee conditions, heart condition (also claimed as atrioventricular block and endocarditis), anxiety, and depression are remanded due to a lack of evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding sufficient evidence to link his current diagnosis of PTSD to in-service stressors. The Veteran was awarded service connection based on new and material evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymia, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 100 percent effective March 13, 2012. The Veteran's vascular headaches have been rated at 50 percent effective September 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and special monthly compensation based on homebound status.

The claim for service connection of a right knee disability was denied. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and panic disorder) is granted as secondary to tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for Meniere's syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the possibility of secondary service connection. The initial rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and TDIU claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service connection claims for depression and anxiety, as well as a need for an opinion on whether his current psychiatric disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral restless leg syndrome.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's depression and anxiety are related to his service, as he contends.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected TBI. He also seeks a higher rating for his cervical spine strain.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for further development due to the Veteran not being properly notified of VA examinations related to his service connection and increased disability rating claims.